Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-01-14
A New Dakota Town.

Along about 1882 and 1888 much
was heard about the rapid growth OF
Dakota how "A sprightly city would
spring up where only fortnight be-
fore was the unsettled prairie. These
tales were received at the time, in
the East. with many q grain of al
lowaGce. 1t has been popularity sup
posed that the time for such ex-
amples of rapid growth had passed,
and that the development of Dakota,
while going steadily on, had assumed
a more even pace hut IL has been the
fortune of many within the last few
days to see large town, with impor-
tant business interests, jump into be-
ing on ground where but three or
four weeks ago bucolic Mouse Riv-
er ranchman peacefully pastured his
lowing herds.
Reference is made TO Minot, at the
second crossing of the Mouse River,
lis miles west from Devils Lake and
527 from st. Paul Tho cause which
has so suddenly brought this thriv-
ing town into being, lies in the fact
that this is the place chosen by the
st. Paul, Minneapolis ~ Manitoba
Railway Co., for division headquar-
ters, and rail road communication
has suddenly opened up for settle-
mtnt wide and fertile region which,
though so late in the season, is al
ready attracting many settlers.
The town is building on tue south
side OF the river, which here, as else
where, is heavily timbered, and on
the gently sloping hills, which furth-
er back make rapid ascent TO the
level prairie beyond. A few days
ago, only the bare ground-to-day a
long main street, lined on each side
with twenty or thirty business houses
in all stages of completion, with
hastily constructed dwellings strag-
Cling on either side. Lumber,
boulders, tar paper and miscellane-
Gus array of other building materials
litter the street, and trip up the I'M
suspectng wayfarer, while the rasp
and clatter of the saw and hammer
continue from early morn till late at
night. 1t is amusing to see the des-
perate hurry of the merchants 10
"open up'and be the first to catch the
golden shower. Empty grain bags
and tar paper do duty for windows,
aud blankets and quilts for doors.
This is rather airy for November,
but building goes steadily on, and
order will no doubt come FROM chaos
before the colder weather comes on,
A restaurant is doing rushing
business, with the entire front OF the
building not yet in, while the thin
November 'ozone" playfully whisks
bits of paper around the coat tails Of
it's patrons. Business is rushing and
every body ia busy.
II is readily understood that there
is big demand for workmen of all
kinds. Carpenters receive 81 rs to
81 90 per day, and other work is paid
for In proportion. or course, every
body is making money; it can't be
otherwise where, with the bare
ground to begin with, everything
must be created from the raw materi-
al The future prospects of the town
are excellent, aud a greater growth
Iull ga llItiNA hNAA Nais AsiV WV ~
is the present terminus of the freight
and passenger service on the railroad
and beside-, it is to be the headquart-
ers for building five or six hundred
miles of new road next year, and
machine shops, storehOuses aud divi-
sion headquarters are to be erected in
the early spring. and in addition,
much repairing and other work must
be done. The company is busily at
work putting in several miles of side
track aud making other arrange
ments for an extensive business.
But the chief factor which assures its
future, is, that it is the natural ell
treport for the DeLacs and Mouse riv-
er valleys, and the exceeding y fertile
surrounding country, which is now
only partially occupied, and which
will be certain 10 be settled with the
opening of another spring.-St. Paul
Pioneer Press.